Charlotte messenger. [volume] (Charlotte, Mecklenburg Co., N.C.) 1882-18??, 1887-04-09
THE TELEPHONE GIRL.

well. " said Roland Wavne. when he
came into his office after several davs'
illness with a wretched neuralgia, which
affected him whenever the east wind
blew, you got some one for the tele-
phone-did you. Burnsi"
eyes, sir, the clerk replied. "The
young lady has been here since Thurs
day."
Young ladyl" exclaimed Mr.. WAYNE,
testify. why did you get woman7 A
brokers' Office is no place for woman. {"
why, you see, sir, said Burns, with
an obvious embarrassment and apprehen-
sire glanocs toward light oak PARTITION.
behind which the new operator sat in
ccn1ealment. you didn't say ANYTHING
thing about that-only that Mr.. Richards
had his hands full with the wires, and
that there'd have to be some one to take
charge Of telephone; so ID
That is just like you, Burns" said
Mr.. Wayne, stamping back into his pri-
vate Office. "Any one else would have
known better"
"Why, you see, sir, said Burns, de-
lensively, as he followed him back, 81
didn't think it would make much differ
ence. The young lady is very capable,
and she seemed to want the place so
badly. She is very poor, sir, and sup
ports her mother. know something
about her, you see"
"Gh. Some flame of your, I suppose,
Burnsl Very nice arrangement for you,
no doubt"
81 beg pardon, sir" said Burns, in an
offended manner, ~ am a married man. :"
''By Jove, so you arem said Roland
Wayne, with laugh. Il had forgotten
that. Well, try her, anyhow. Where's
the mail, pleasei"
Il tell you what, B',rns, +" one of the
other clerks observed, when that individ-
ual finally emerged from Mr.. Wayne's Of
fee, ''the boss is fly humor, isn't hc7'
Hes all right" Burns answered,
warmly. He has given me a ticket to
Atlantic City, and two days off,"
The clerk whistled.
"Why, thought he was going to take
your head of
''You don't know him. l am sure it is
no shame to a man whose nerves are al
ways twinging with neuralgia if he loses
his temper now and then"
Roland, meanwhile, had taken up his
ren. and was writing a lengthy account
Of Brisget's new deal in p. Y. d NJ:
Ii the cat jumps this way, he said,
in conclusion, ''the bears have got him
sure Danbury is on our side. He has
given Brisket the cold shoulder, and, if
I'm not mistaken, somebody will get wo-
fully left. ! don't intend that it shallbe
!. II everything goes IS think it viii,
! shall pocket $500, 600, and then am
going TO get out of the brokerage busi-
ness. 1t doesn't suit me, and my health
is 50 poor that ! must get away some
where or shall so to pieces"
Il beg pardon, sir, )" said a soft, trem-
uious voice at his elbow. Il am Miss
Archer, Mr. Wayne"
Roland dropped his pen, and rose po-
litcly I he saw slight, graceful figure
in black standing before him.
BE seated, Miss Archer, ne said, Wit:
4 smile which no man could have with
held when he saw the fairness of he.
young face and that shy, sweet finish on
her checks. ''What can do for you?"
II an the telephone operator" she be-
gan, rapidly, and with a nervousness she
could not conceal. IL could not help
hearing what you said to Mr.. Burns lit
tie while ago, and--and came TO say if
you are not satisfied to have me stay in
the oili % you need only say so.
Not satisfedr Roland echoed, in
manifest confusion. well, really you
know have not given you trial; and as
% what I slid a little while ago ! am soT-
IS. Miss Archer. / am afraid you will
have TO set it down to neuralgia. am
quite willing to have you stay, If you
WILL
'.You are very kind she said, lacing
and unlacing her fingers in some confu-
sicn. Il should like to stay-indeed IL
is vsry important that should have this